German vs. Japanese?

[bitchstewie]

In general terms, where do you sit and why?

By which I mean what do you actually do vs. "M3 all the way" when you actually drive a 20 year old Toyota Starlet.

[bitchstewie]

I guess what I'm curious about when people speak of "quality" is actual quality vs. "looks and feels nice".

For example I'm a sucker for nice interior plastics which the Germans do well, but they don't help you if you're not driving the car because it's always in at the dealers because they saved 10 pence on a mechanical part to give you that nice looking interior.

Conversely Subaru seem to spend around 10 pence on the entire interior - does the rest go on ensuring it won't break or is it just a fundamental Japanese vs. German difference in how important the interior of a car is perceived to be vs. the functionality?

[bitchstewie]

Getting a little more specific - Lexus or VW?

[bitchstewie]

KTF said:

VW as the styling of the current Lexus range is just dire. Plus they have too many buttons in the cabin compared to rivals.

Assuming stuff like that is a matter of taste and you just need reliable A to B with good economy - I appreciate a lot of this is subjective as if you hate the styling of something it's difficult to see past that.

[bitchstewie]

chrispmartha said:

Aren't the lexus' more expensive though,

Golfs start at £16,995 (without dealer discount)

The cheapest Lexus CT is £20,995

Lexus are surely more aimed at Merc drivers.

A little but assuming you don't want a bare bones Golf it's about even with the Golf coming out more expensive.

[bitchstewie]

KTF said:

A better comparison would be Toyota v VW and Lexus v Audi as that is the more natural 'rival' for each brand.

For reliable A to B, pretty much any car on sale today will do that without too much trouble. The rest of it is all subjective as you say and thats when individual preferences come into play.

Not a fan of Audi. I'm down to a Golf or Lexus CT and whilst I like the Golf they're everywhere - doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them but it's nice to have something a little different.

[bitchstewie]

Halfabusa said:

I have the same dilemma nowadays. Planning a change within a year and trying to decide between a 3.0 TDI Touareg and RX400h. Currently the lexus is winning in my comparisons.

I'm yet to test both out by the way, my biggest factor is reliability and for that lexus comes out top.

I do find myself thinking that by any "engineering" measure (and I work in IT cars are not my thing) the Lexus seems to come out on top and makes the VW seem like a fairly generic German hatchback with the right badge as everyone seems to want them - reminds me a bit of Apple in some ways I suppose.

[bitchstewie]

Had another drive in a Lexus CT today.

Can't fault it tbh but the dealer is a long way off where I want to be on the numbers so it's time to think whilst they sharpen their pencil.